Page 111 of Maxim

“You don’t know where it is?” he asks.

I panic for a moment before turning to him. “It was in my top drawer, but my sister plays in here. She must have moved it. Let me look for a moment, and if I can’t find it, we can go.”

He buys the lie, nodding before going toward the window.

I go back to my search, smiling when I find what I’m looking for. It’s nothing special. A pen along with a journal I used to keep. It’s so old the pen likely doesn’t work, but I don’t need it to.

Opening it, I walk over to Szymon. “I can’t find it,” I pretend to pout, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“It’s okay. I’ll get you more. All the flowers you want. We need to go.”

I pretend to cuddle into his chest more, making him hold me tighter. Then I take the pen and jam it into his neck. Pulling it out, I do it again.

He gasps, pushing me away. I rush him, continuing to jam it into him over and over until he stops moving.

I’m covered in blood as I look down at his body. My nerves are frayed. I feel like I might lose myself any moment.

For a moment, I’m back in that bathroom with the gashes in my arms as my blood flows freely. I can feel the life fading from me.

A gunshot from outside shakes me from the memory.

This isn’t my blood. I’m not dying.

Taking a deep breath, I center myself. Then I grab the gun from Szymon’s waist before I head down to my father’s office. I have no doubt hearing him up here that he has captured Maxim. He might have even killed him already. I can only hope that he is alive and the children are too. I can’t focus on the worst-case scenario. All I can do is save them.

I can hear his voice through the heavy wood door. How many times did I sit here and eavesdrop on his meetings?

Not anymore.

Szymon is gone. My father will be too.

I have no idea how to use a gun, but it can’t be that hard. Just point and shoot, right?

Opening the door, I step inside. Father is facing away from me as Maxim is on his knees, two men behind him.

“Finally, where have you been?” Father asks as he turns.

He freezes when he finds me with a gun raised, pointed at his head.

“Hello, Father.”

When the door opens, I think my men have made it, but I’m surprised to find Olena covered in blood, a gun in her hand.

My heart lurches in my chest as I catalog her body for injuries. I have no idea where the blood is coming from. My worry for her skyrockets.

“Hello, Father.”

Jan scoffs. “Where is Szymon?”

Olena shrugs, “Busy. Let Maxim go.”

“Oh, she pleads for your life. You hear that?” He turns and points at me with a gun. “Put it down, Olena, or he dies.”

“Then kill him. Where are Daryna and Alek.”

Jan chuckles. “Oh my god. You are a broken fucking record. Why do you even care about those brats? Alek is a piss-poor excuse of an heir. I’m working on securing another one, but until then, he will have to do. Daryna, on the other hand, has that tan skin like her mother did. She is going to fetch me a good price at market. Better than you, even.”

“You are disgusting. You let Szymon escort me to appointments and monitor me knowing he wanted me since I was thirteen. You sold me to the highest bidder. Who the fuck does that to their child?” Olena yells, her arms shaking.